Sourcing the correct security air distribution device is a critical aspect of constructing secure facilities, such as correctional and behavioral health facilities. These specialty grilles, registers, and diffusers are set apart from conventional air distribution products due to their compliance with secure facility safety standards:

  • Anti-Ligature Design: Security air distribution devices minimize ligature points to lessen the potential for self-harm.
  • Vandal-Proof: Security air distribution devices are installed with tamper-resistant screws or mounting angles to prevent unwanted opening of and access to ducts.
  • Risk Level: Security air distribution devices comply with risk assessment ratings that determine what areas of a facility they can be safely installed in.

Standards for construction of secure facilities in the U.S. generally derive from state-level organizations. Individual states can choose which standards to adopt, putting the onus on contractors to familiarize themselves with these organizations in order to specify the correct products.

What Are the Standards Set by State-Level Organizations for Security Air Distribution Devices?

There are three main state-level organizations that set standards for security air distribution devices – one from New York, one from California, and one that is not state-specific. Other states follow the standards set by one of these organizations, as they are considered national leaders in secure facility governance.

New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS-OMH) Guidelines

The New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS-OMH) has the most detailed criteria for air distribution grilles, registers, and diffusers intended for secure applications.

NYS-OMH requires that security air distribution devices:

  • Be secured with tamper-resistant fasteners.
  • Have all accessible housing elements attached to permanently affixed concealed back angles or to wall/ceiling framing elements.
  • Be reduced in size to the greatest extent possible to prevent unwanted passage.
  • If passage is required, be securely mounted in place using welded joints and/or tamper-resistant fasteners.
  • Have face plates that are thick enough to resist impact assaults and are not removable, except with special tamper-resistant fastener tools.
  • Feature closely spaced "S" or "Z" shaped vanes or tightly spaced perforated holes protected by a heavy-gauge metal face plate.
  • Be sealed around their perimeter with tamper-resistant sealant.
KEES SEG-14

California Board of State and Community Corrections Title 24

The California Board of State and Community Corrections’ (BSCC) Title 24 addresses the minimum standards for construction of secure facilities.

BSCC Title 24 requires that security air distribution devices have openings no greater than 3/16 of an inch or have 16-mesh count per square inch, to protect against self-inflicted injury.

Behavioral Health Design Guide

The Behavioral Health Design Guide (BHDG) is a guide created by a consulting firm that works in the secure facility industry. This design guide is not specific to any one state government and is considered a resource by multiple states.

The Behavioral Health Design Guide suggests that security air distribution devices be fully recessed and secured in place with tamper-resistant fasteners. They prefer grilles with “S” or “Z” shaped air passageways, but allow the use of perforated-face grilles outside of private rooms, private restrooms, and quiet or sensory rooms.

How to Source the Right Security Air Distribution Devices

To source the right security air distribution devices that comply with the appropriate guidance and match engineering specifications, consider the following best practices:

Suggested by Organizations: NYS-OMH’s and BHDG’s standards documentation contain lists of products that the organizations recommend, serving as a jumping-off point for choosing products and manufacturers.

Benchmarking: Compare design documents from engineers and architects against product submittals to ensure said products line up with specifications.

Risk Level: Be mindful of the risk level ratings – low, medium, or high – for each room in a secure facility, as not all security air distribution devices are rated for high-risk applications.

Ceiling Type: The designs of security air distribution devices for hard ceilings and lay-in ceilings are not interchangeable. Our article on specifying security air distribution devices for ceiling types goes into greater detail.

Why KEES

KEES is an industry leader in security air distribution devices, recognized by the major standards organizations for our risk-resistant grilles, registers, and diffusers. In secure facility construction across the U.S., count on KEES for reliable, compliant devices.

Compliance: Our security air distribution devices come recommended by the NYS-OMH, BSCC, and BHDG. KEES products can be installed in facilities in any U.S. state – taking the guesswork out of sourcing.

Options: KEES has a wide selection of security air distribution devices, with options for face type, ceiling type, mounting style and more. We work with our clients to manufacture products that meet their projects’ safety and air flow requirements.